Regenerative Fuel Cells

A regenerative fuel cell (RFC), or sometimes called a reversible fuel cell, is a device that can operate alternately as an electrolyzer and as a fuel cell. The electrolyzer and fuel cell functions can be integrated into a single stack of cells (unitized) or two separate (discrete) stacks may be used. Although RFC systems with different fuel/oxidizer combinations and electrolytes are possible, this article focuses on hydrogen/oxygen systems using a proton-exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyte.